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Georgia's captain demands fair deal from referees for tier two nations
Georgia captain Mehrab Sharikhadze won plenty of support after voicing the opinion that tier two nations receive less-than-fair treatment from match officials when facing tier one opposition.
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The 28-year-old centre, who plays his club rugby in the French second division with Aurillac, first made his feelings clear late in the first half of the Lelos’ Autumn International Series defeat at the hands of France.
With the hosts leading 24-3 and Georgia having already lost two players to the sin bin, Sharikhadze aired his frustration during a very direct conversation with referee Damon Murphy.
“I understand we are a small team, I understand they have an advantage, but you aren’t giving us any penalties,” he protested.
However, he got short shrift from the Australian whistler who responded quite simply: “Abide by the laws and you get penalties.”
Georgia managed to keep all 15 players on the pitch in Bordeaux after half-time and despite conceding a further three tries they had the satisfaction of claiming a fine effort of their own through scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze.
This try ? on repeat ?@GeorgianRugby | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/MiHW0zmVz7
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 14, 2021
Speaking after France went on to complete their warm-up for next weekend’s mouth-watering clash with the All Blacks by claiming a 41-15 win, Sharikhadze returned to the subject and again did not mince his words.
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“In this kind of contest the referee can really make all the difference, obviously. Everyone knows the level of France, they are stronger than us, but I think he was hard on us,” he said.
“Watch the match again, I’m sure you’ll find a lot of things that he didn’t whistle on the French side. You will see – analyse the images – you will see things that are wrong, and that is very disappointing for us.”
After conceding eight of the first nine penalties plus yellow cards for fly half Tedo Abzhandadze and back-rower Beka Saghinadze, the Lelos ended the game with an overall penalty count against them of 18 while les Bleus conceded only seven.
And Sharikhadze completed his critique of the officiating by suggesting multiple errors were made.
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“We had a chance to face France, which doesn’t happen that often,” he said.
“We gave our best on the pitch and it was frustrating to see someone making the wrong decisions every time.
“I have to say it; of course everyone makes mistakes, but I hope next time will be better.”
Many watching fans took to Twitter to voice their agreement, including some who saw similar trends in the refereeing of Wales v Fiji.
#TheLelos competitive beginning was followed by ill-disciplined part w/ 2 ? cards. Neither the ref’s decisions were brilliant. #Georgia’s ?? good 2nd half performance indeed, w/ 2 great tries!
Un grand merci to @FranceRugby ?? for this great test! ? Martin Seras Lima pic.twitter.com/dSjQ9b2mas
— Shalva Tsiskarashvili (@tsiskarashvili) November 15, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
The pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to comments